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For the third time this decade, the Boston Bruins (107 points; 3-3) and Toronto Maple Leafs (100 points; 3-3) will play each other in a winner-take-all Game 7 in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Also, for the third time in seven years, the Bruins will host the game, as the Maple Leafs head to TD Garden in Boston for the decisive Game 7 on Tuesday night.
The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBC Sports Network. If you want to watch a live stream of the game, you can do so via one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
PS Vue–which doesn’t require an actual PlayStation console to sign up or watch–offers four different live-TV channel packages, all of which include NBC Sports Network.
You can start a free 5-day trial of PS Vue right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the PS Vue website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation (3 or 4), or other supported device via the PS Vue app.
If you can’t watch live, PS Vue comes with cloud DVR.
NBC Sports Network is one of 85-plus live TV channels included in the main FuboTV bundle, which is largely tailored towards sports.
You can start a free 7-day trial of FuboTV right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast or other supported device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as a 72-hour look-back feature, which allows you to watch the game (and other programs) on-demand within three days of its conclusion, even if you don’t record it.
In addition to a Netflix-like on-demand streaming library, Hulu also offers a bundle of 60-plus live TV channels, including NBC Sports Network.
You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Echo Show, or other streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, Hulu With Live TV comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as the option to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of space and the ability to fast-forward through commercials.
Maple Leafs vs Bruins Game 7 Preview
Just like last year, the heavy lifting by the Bruins has been done by the team’s top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. Despite Pastrnak being shifted around the lineup by head coach Bruce Cassidy in order to find better scoring balance, the trio has stuck together for most of the series.
Through the first six games of this series, Marchand leads Boston with nine points (four goals, five assists), while Pastrnak is second with six points (two goals, four assists) and Bergeron is tied with David Krejci and Torey Krug for third with four points apiece.
For two straight seasons, Toronto has been eliminated in the First Round; in six games by the Washington Capitals in 2016-17, and seven by Boston a year ago. Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock told reporters Monday his team needs to take advantage of being given another chance.
“Bottom line is we have to be better tomorrow. It’s an opportunity for our club and we look forward to it.”
Babcock added:
“Before this series when you looked at the teams, I don’t think anybody is really surprised. These are good teams in the National Hockey League, I don’t think there’s a lot to give. You relish being in the situation so enjoy being in it, but you have to play with good detail and the way we’re supposed to play, look after the puck and then you have a chance to be successful.”
In the Bruins’ three victories, they have scored four-or-more goals (4-1 win in Game 2; 6-4 win in Game 4; 4-2 win in Game 6). In the Maple Leafs’ three victories, they have held the Bruins to two-or-fewer goals (4-1 win in Game 1; 3-2 win in Game 3; 2-1 win in Game 5).
The star players for the Maple Leafs have showed up as well, making Game 7 all the more intriguing. Auston Matthews has led the way with six points (five goals, assist), including a go-ahead goal in the third period of Game 5. Morgan Rielly, who many believed would be nominated for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman this season, is second on Toronto with five points (goal four assists) this series.
As for the goalies? Boston’s Tuukka Rask and Toronto’s Frederik Andersen, have each played well in their team’s wins this series. In the losses, it has been ugly, but moreso by Andersen. Specifically, Andersen doesn’t want a repeat performance of Game 5, where he allowed five goals on 30 shot attempts in a 6-4 loss.
The ingredients are there, however, for an upset by the Maple Leafs. So far, four of the lower-seeded teams have advanced to the Second Round, with the New York Islanders being the only higher seed to move on.